Sinn
Féin has become “an all-Ireland pro-abortion party” following its votes
in favour of abortion and against free votes on the issue, a leading
pro-life campaigner has said.
Reacting to the decisions reached at the party’s Ard Fheis in
Castlebar, Co. Mayo last weekend, Bernadette Smyth of Precious Life said
it was now “vitally important that Catholics know that if they vote for
Sinn Féin they are helping to bring abortion to Northern Ireland.”
During its annual gathering, Sinn Féin supported a motion calling on
the Government to enact legislation to give effect to the 1992 judgement
of the Supreme Court in the X case while also passing a motion
preventing party members from voting according to conscience on the
issue.
Ms Smyth said that, as a
result of its votes, the party “can no longer claim to cherish all of
the children of Ireland equally” and stated it has “committed political
suicide” in pursuing abortion.
The Pro Life Campaign (PLC), meanwhile, has accused Sinn Fein of
indulging in “smear tactics” to deflect from its support for abortion.
In a statement reacting to the party motions, PLC pointed to an
interview given during the Ard Fheis by Northern Ireland Deputy First
Minister Martin McGuinness in which he claimed that Sinn Féin is an
“anti-abortion party” while disagreeing with members of the pro-life
movement who opposed abortion legislation and put the life of the baby
ahead of the mother in life threatening situations.
Dr Ruth Cullen of the PLC said Mr McGuinness’ remarks were a
“calculated smear to deflect from the pro-abortion stance adopted by
Sinn Féin”.
“The motions passed at the Sinn Féin ard fheis are pro-abortion, not
pro-life. There was absolutely no effort made by the leadership of the
party to distinguish between necessary medical treatments in pregnancy
and induced abortion.”
And, Dr Cullen added: “I can assure the Sinn Féin
leadership of one thing. The Pro Life Campaign will not let it trick
voters into believing it is a pro-life party at the next general
election.”